How do I know which security type I’m using?

security professional

Wi-Fi security is designed to prevent unauthorized access to devices on a wireless network. Most home routers provide multiple security modes, which vary in levels of protection. The Wi-Fi security types supported by Nanit have been listed below from most to least secure:

 

• WPA2
• WPA
• WEP

While Nanit supports WPA2, WPA, and WEP encryptions, we recommend you secure your network with WPA2 only. WPA2 ensures the most secure experience with Nanit and your personal data.

 

Note: If you decide to change your network security type, devices that use the WEP encryption will disconnect. If necessary, check the device setting and change the security type to WPA2. Nanit works best with WPA2-AES, (which is normally the default). We do not suggest using WPA2-TKIP.

 

How do  I know which security type I’m using?

Using your mobile device, you may be able to determine the security type from your device’s Wi-Fi settings. To check the encryption type:

1. Open the Settings app on your mobile device
2. Access the Wi-Fi connection settings
3. Find your wireless network on the list of available networks
4. Tap the network name or info button to pull up the network configuration
5. Check the network configuration for the security type

If your mobile device’s settings don’t specify the security type, you may be able to identify this via the settings on your wireless router. Each router may be different, so you may want to refer to the documentation that came with the device. Alternatively, if the router was set up by your internet service provider, we suggest you contact them for assistance. 

 Media coverage of large-scale security breaches has focused board-level attention on protecting corporate information. Business leaders are increasingly concerned with security issues, especially any compromise of customer information and intellectual property.  However, they often struggle to understand what sort of people they should be looking for to help protect their organisation and where they might find them.

To be agile, organisations need people they can work with to drive their business strategy. They want this across cyberspace, particularly in cloud computing, big data, mobile devices and social media. That means the modern security professional needs multiple skillsets, from communications to technical competence.

The person responsible for protecting information in larger organisations is often called the chief information security officer (CISO). A CISO’s core expertise is to understand IT security or information security above all else. They are seen as the protector of information and the responder to incidents. To be able to cope with these challenges and the speed of change, your CISO needs to understand your business, the risks it faces, and its appetite for more risk.

wireless LAN security Certification Benefits

wireless security certification

A wireless security auditor has a deep understanding of the latest trends, technologies, tools, and software that are available in the market. They are the ones who are counted upon for advice on security policies. The Certified Wireless Security Auditor certification offers world-class training through learning modules which have been carefully curated by a team of like-minded industry experts.

Measure your skills and expertise by enrolling in this prestigious certification which puts you on the right track to a lucrative career. Prepare to become industry ready and gain a profound competitive advantage over others.

Certification Benefits

• Fundamentals of wireless networks.
• Overview of wireless LAN security auditing.
• Understanding of wireless network security policy.
• Methodology of Wi-Fi security audit.
• Use case study of tools such as Metasploit, and Bluejack.
• Introduction to configuration security audit.

What Is the Average CWSS Salary?

cwsp certification

CWSS salaries vary significantly depending on geographic location, specific job duties and years of experience.

The average salary for Wireless Security Engineers is $82K per year, ranging from $49.6K to $118K, as per Paysa.com. The same source indicates in $144,000 the average salary for Wireless Security Specialist Engineers.

Note that according to InfoSec Institute’s Salary Outlook for Security Engineers:

ESTIMATED SALARY = $70,000-$90,000

50% EARNED MORE THAN $82,000

LOWEST EARNING 10% < $60,000

HIGHEST EARNING 10% > $110,000

What Is the Average CWSS Salary by Experience?

As in most cases, pay for this job does change much by experience, with the salary of most experienced professionals being often significantly higher. According to Glassdoor data, for example, the national average salary for a Senior Wireless Security Systems Engineer is $106,984. Experienced professionals are in demand and employers are willing to invest more in hiring and, above all, retaining wireless security IT practitioners who are already well rounded and, even better, have certifications that can prove their worth.

Certifications often translate into the highest pays. CWNP designation holders can earn higher salaries than their uncertified IT colleagues, with reported salaries up to $87,250 for some sales and support Certified Wireless Technology Specialists (CWTS) to $262,500 for Certified Wireless Network Experts (CWNE). Also, the national employment outlook appears to be brightening with the hiring of more CWSPs (Certified Wireless Security Professionals) who can make as much as $138,500. Robert Half’s latest Salary Guide places the starting salary (50% percentile) of wireless network engineer (considered one of the 10 best technology jobs to watch in 2018) in the six-figure range at $119,000, so earning a certification is definitely a positive investment for career advancement.

What Is the Average Salary by Job Role?

CWSSs are employed in an extensive range of fields, and they can be an essential part of any business’ overall technology team to help evolve the security posture of the organization.

Job Role	Salary
Network Security Engineer	$55,329 – $125,193
Computer Network Support Specialists	$46,070 – $105, 910
Wireless Network Engineer	$54,000-$109,000
Wireless Security Engineer	$78,000-$146,000
Wireless Security Consultant	$48,000-$115,000

What Are the Benefits of Becoming CWSS Certified?

In a recent article at CertMag.com, Ahmed Badr, an experienced network consultant, wrote about the Five top certifications to get you involved in wireless networking; he included CWSP offered by Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP) among the list of most sought-out certifications due to the fact that security for wireless networks is definitely one of the most in-demand networking skills currently. Certifications are a great way to keep current not only with the new methods malicious hackers use to attack systems but also with the latest developments in defensive technologies, tools and monitoring methods.

Ahmed states the vendor-neutral advanced level CWSP credential gives such individuals the knowledge and skills to secure any wireless network thanks to the critical security topics it covers, to include “wireless vulnerability assessment, WLAN security audits, and compliance monitoring solutions, and implementing Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS).” To acquire this credential, candidates need to demonstrate basic knowledge through another certification, the CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator), that shows they have the required knowledge of topics like radio and antenna technologies, wireless architectures, 802.11, wireless standards and troubleshooting. The CWSP is valid for three years after which time, professionals can re-certify or move on to acquire the more advanced CWNE (Certified Wireless Network Expert) for experienced professional with advanced knowledge in “protocol analysis, intrusion detection and prevention, performance and QoS analysis, spectrum analysis and management and advanced design,” as mentioned on the official website.

According to Pearson VUE that serves test owners and test takers in nearly every industry, IT professionals in over 140 countries have already achieved CWNP certification to prove their knowledge in how to make wireless networks more secure, cost-effective and reliable.

How Can I Become CWSS Certified?

In addition to experience gained on the job, it is possible to become a Certified Wireless Security Specialist by looking for specific and effective training programs like InfoSec Institute’s Wireless Security Training course, which is 5-days hands-on class where you will use a variety of industry-standard access points, 802.1x protocol assessment devices, and WLAN security assessment tools from vendors. The course prepares professionals to pass the CWSP certification. Alternatively, there is CWNP’s Wi-Fi Security coursework that will measure the skills and knowledge necessary and gets students ready for this professional-level cert. Also, the CWSP Premium Self Study Kit includes unlimited access to an eLearning Course in preparation of the CWSP-205 exam (See: What’s Changed in Exam CWSP-205?).

Sources:

Wireless Security Engineer Salaries, Paysa

Security Engineer, InfoSec Institute

Network Security Engineer Salary, PayScale

Networking and Security Salaries, Cisco (Robert Half Technology findings)

Certified Security Professional (CWSP) Salary, PayScale

Certified Wireless Security Professional Salary, CWNP (Robert Half’s latest Salary Guide)

2017 IT Skills and Certifications Pay Index, Foote Partners, LLC

Computer Network Support Specialists, O*NET

 

WHAT DOES A SECURITY AUDITOR DO?

security auditing certifications

Security auditors create and execute audits based on organizational policies and governmental regulations. To inspect and assess security controls and practices, security auditors work closely with IT professionals, managers, and executives. Security auditors develop tests of IT systems to identify risks and inadequacies. Security auditors evaluate firewalls, encryption protocols, and related security measures, which requires expertise in computer security techniques and methods.

Through interviews and cooperation with executives, managers, and IT professionals, systems auditors develop plans to improve security compliance, reduce risk, and manage potential security threats.

As external auditors, security auditors offer an objective perspective on an organization's security practices. Companies and businesses bring in security auditors at regular intervals to check their own effectiveness and ensure their systems adhere to industry standards.

Security auditors also introduce new practices and technologies to companies and organizations. By advising companies or organizations to make changes based on their current practices and emerging trends and issues in the field, security auditors facilitate proactiveness. They bear significant responsibility and enjoy opportunities to develop creative security solutions. These professionals travel extensively, offering their services as needed.

Can I take the A+ Certification test online?

comptia a+ entry level jobs

CompTIA is the latest certification giant to allow candidates to take their tests from the comfort of home. CompTIA sent out a notification entitled "Take Your CompTIA Exam from Home." The announcement led to a page on ProctorU.com, which provides online exam proctoring services, where more details were available.

• Three exams are currently available in the online format: two versions of Project+ (PK0-003 and -004), Server+ (SK0-004), and Cloud+ (CV0-001).
• Testing times are open 24/7/365, and exams may be scheduled as long as weeks or months in advance, or as soon as "a few hours in advance" (but it's worth noting that "a small fee may be assessed for exams that are scheduled within 72 hours of test time" – presumably this means an extra charge above and beyond normal exam costs).
• Candidates may sit for exams at home, in an office or in "another private room that meets the testing requirements" from ProctorU, as discussed in their FAQ. ProctorU requires you use a laptop or desktop running Windows Vista or higher with at least 1024 MB or RAM, or macOS X 10.4. You need an Internet connection of at least 768 Kbps/384 Kbps download/upload speeds. The company also includes checks of your system to ensure the camera and microphone are functional and that your system/browser can run Flash.
• They'll even permit candidates to take exams in a public library (though not in other public spaces) provided that the test machine is located in a suitably private situation, as determined by a ProctorU help desk representative.

Those readers who are potentially interested in CompTIA Online Testing are advised to watch a How it Works video to determine if testing fits their needs and their circumstances. They need to comply with ProctorU's equipment and Internet bandwidth requirements for upload/download speeds to qualify to take an online exam (see CompTIA Online Testing web page at ProctorU for details).

Those who might wish to proceed must create a ProctorU account and schedule an exam, after which they must follow the prompts and purchase said exam (pricing appears the same as it does for PearsonVUE). When the scheduled data and time arrives, candidates must log into the ProctorU exam site, and get their testing underway. Pretty simple and straightforward, really. Now, if only the "Big Three" – A+, Network+ and Security+ -- were available online, this might reshape the landscape for CompTIA testing completely. As it is, the exams offered make this an obvious sort of trial run. I can only hope it produces the kind of results CompTIA is looking for, so the "Big Three" exams can make their way online as well.

The fine print for this offer also shows a pilot test mentality. These exams are currently available only in English in the US and Candada. Standard exam pricing is all that's available, no discounts or exam vouchers apply. No special test accommodations are currently available. Again: I hope this experiment proves to be a big success and leads to wholesale availability of CompTIA exams online. Now, if only Cisco will jump on this bandwagon, all three of certification's 800-lb gorillas (which also includes Microsoft, which has offered most of its exams online since 2015) will have taken their exams online. I can't but see this as a positive step for certification in general, especially for those with mobility or access issues, or who may reside far, far away from testing centers. https://www.fieldengineer.com/skills/comptia-a-plus

CWSP® - Certified Wireless Security Professional

cwsp

Secure new opportunities.

Do you know how to assess the vulnerability of a network and help prevent attacks before they happen? Do you know how to perform WLAN security audits and implement compliance monitoring solutions? Do you have experience setting up Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS)?

Today’s wireless network security professionals need to have a deep understanding of the latest software, tools, trends and technologies available. Security professionals are often counted on to advise on security policies (i.e. password and acceptable use). Plus, these experts are responsible for configuring an entire network’s Security Design and Architecture.

Measure your skills and knowledge with this professional-level certification and get on track toward ultimately earning your Certified Wireless Network Expert (CWNE) certification. Those that pass the CWSP exam earn credit towards a CWNE certification.

What it takes to become a CWSP:

The CWSP certification is a professional level wireless LAN certification for the CWNP Program. To earn a CWSP certification, you must hold a current and valid CWNA credential. You must take the CWSP exam at a Pearson Vue Testing Center and pass with a 70% or higher. Instructors must pass with a 80% or higher. However you choose to prepare for the CWSP exam, you should start with the exam objectives, which cover the full list of skills tested on the exam.  The CWSP certification is valid for three (3) years. To recertify, you must have a current CWNA credential and pass the current CWSP exam.  By passing the CWSP exam, your CWNA certificate will be renewed for another three years.

Main areas covered by CWSP

• WLAN Discovery Techniques
• Intrusion and Attack Techniques
• 802.11 Protocol Analysis
• Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS) Implementation
• Layer 2 and 3 VPNs used over 802.11 networks
• Enterprise/SMB/SOHO/Public-Network Security design models
• Managed Endpoint Security Systems802.11 Authentication and Key
• 205 Exam Objectives
• CWSP-206 Exam Objectives 2019 (CWSP-206 Exam will replace CWSP-205 in September of 2019)

Management Protocols

• Enterprise/SMB/SOHO/Public-Network Security Solution Implementation
• Building Robust Security Networks from the ground up
• Fast BSS Transition (aka. Fast/Secure Roaming) Techniques
• Thorough coverage of all 802.1X/EAP types used in WLANs
• Wireless LAN Management Systems (WNMS)
• Authentication Infrastructure Design Models
• Using Secure Applications
• 802.11 Design Architectures
• Implementing a Thorough Wireless Security Policy

CWSP Exam Summary:

• Exam Number: CWSP-206
• Cost: $275.00 (USD) - Exam Voucher
• Availability: Pearson Vue Testing Centers
• Duration: 90 Minutes
• Questions: 60 multiple choice
• Language: English

Free Wireless Security Tools

wireless security tools

Is there any better price than free when you're looking for a new tool? These security tools will help monitor your network and keep your data safe, for free!

NetStumbler

NetStumbler displays wireless access points, SSIDs, channels, whether WEP encryption is enabled and signal strength. NetStumbler can connect with GPS technology to accurately log the precise location of access points.

MiniStumbler

A smaller version of NetStumbler designed to work on PocketPC 3.0 and PocketPC 2002 platforms. It provides support for ARM, MIPS and SH3 CPU types.

WEPCrack

WEPCrack was the first of the WEP encryption cracking utilities. WEPCrack is an open-source tool used to break 802.11 WEP keys. You can also download WEPCrack for Linux.

Airsnort

Airsnort is a wireless LAN (WLAN) tool which cracks WEP encryption keys. AirSnort passively monitors wireless transmissions and automatically computes the encryption key when enough packets have been gathered. 

BTScanner

Btscanner allows you to extract as much information as possible from a Bluetooth device without the requirement to pair. It extracts HCI and SDP information and maintains an open connection to monitor the RSSI and link quality.

FakeAP

The polar opposite of hiding your network by disabling SSID broadcasts- Black Alchemy's Fake AP generates thousands of counterfeit 802.11b access points. As part of a honeypot or as an instrument of your site security plan, Fake AP confuses Wardrivers, NetStumblers, Script Kiddies, and other scanners.

Kismet

Kismet is an 802.11 wireless network detector, sniffer, and intrusion detection system. Kismet identifies networks by passively collecting packets and detecting standard named networks, detecting (and given time, decloaking) hidden networks, and inferring the presence of non-beaconing networks via data traffic.

Redfang

Redfang v2.5 is an enhanced version from @Stake of the original Redfang application that finds non-discoverable Bluetooth devices by brute-forcing the last six bytes of the device's Bluetooth address and doing a read_remote_name().

SSID Sniff

A tool to use when looking to discover access points and save captured traffic. Comes with a configured script and supports Cisco Aironet and random prism2 based cards.

WiFi Scanner

WifiScanner analyzes traffic and detects 802.11b stations and access points. It can listen alternatively on all 14 channels, write packet information in real time, search access points and associated client stations. All network traffic may be saved in the libpcap format for post analysis.

wIDS

wIDS is a wireless IDS. It detects the jamming of management frames and could be used as a wireless honeypot. Data frames can also be decrypted on the fly and re-injected onto another device.

WIDZ

WIDZ is a proof of concept IDS system for 802.11 wireless networks. It guards access points (AP's) and monitors local frequencies for malicious activity. It detects scans, association floods, and bogus/Rogue AP's. It can also be integrated with SNORT or RealSecure.